The Picturebooks: 'Imaginary Horse'

Punknews is excited to debut the new album by The Picturebooks!

On their new release, Imaginary Horse. the German duo kick out thumping, muscular riffs. At their core, the duo takes cues from the blues-based sledgehammering of Scott Asheton. But then, on the even nastier cuts like "Your kisses burn like fire," the band gets grimey and wallows in low, rumbling reverberations that would make any Amphetamine Reptile band proud. This is vicious, modern rock and roll.

The album is out October 7 via Riding Easy Records and you can order it here.

Sharkanoid: 'Have a Great Summer'

Today, Punknews is super thrilled to stream Sharkanoid's debut LP, the timely named Have a Great Summer.

Composed of Dan Potthast of Mu330 and Rick Johnson of Mustard Plug, the band puts their pedigree to use and comes out swinging on this energetic release. There are smashing riffs, Elvis Costello inspired love tunes, spastic refrains, and a song about pillow fights. This is pop-punk that keeps something weird in the background at all times.

The album is out October 7, 2014 via Community Records. You can pre-order this bad boy here. Meanwhile, you can hear the whole thing on the band's Punknews.org Profile

Somerset Thrower: 'Falling Swingers'

Today's stream comes from Long Island, NY-based Somerset Thrower. We've got a stream of the band's new release, Falling Swingers.The release will be out this fall via Dead Broke Rekerds.

You can find the EP on their Punknews.org Profile

Stray Bullets: “New Prisons”

Today's stream comes from Boston, MA-based Stray Bullets. We've got a stream of the band's new song, "New Prisons," from their forthcoming record Ghost Town Rockers, which is due out October 7, 2014 via Dying Scene Records. The song is about vocalist Jon Cauztik's experience during the Occupy protests.

I served as a Street Medic, taking shifts both in the medical tent in Dewey Square and at some of the protests that took place around the city, and things that I saw there profoundly changed my life. There have no doubt been protests of one sort or another since the beginning of language itself, but I've never heard of one that was supported by such vastly different demographics of the population. Black, White, Latino, Asian. From students to veterans, from the homeless to business owners. Union ironworkers camped out in tents next to transgender crust punks. Grandmothers from Brookline marching arm in arm with teenage rappers from Dorchester. All brought together by the same thing, all willing to listen to and engage with each other, all fighting for a common goal. I've been an American since the day I was born, but I was never proud to be an American until the things I saw and heard as part of Occupy Boston.

You can read Cauztik's entire explanation below. Pre-orders for Ghost Town Rockers are available here. You can find "New Prisons" on Stray Bullets' Punknews.org Profile

The Great Explainer: “Defeated”

Today's stream comes from Trenton, NJ-based The Great Explainer. We've got a stream of a new song titled "Defeated" off of their upcoming self-titled record that is due out October 27, 2014 via Panic State Records. Vocalist Sean Bystrzycki describes the meaning behind the song:

Defeated is about how people will blindly accept someone's stance on anything as valid, without taking into consideration that a person's viewpoint is always slanted and subjective. People can also be led to believe that the causes or struggles of those believed to be important are paramount to individuals' wants or concerns. Basically what I'm trying to convey is that people should take their own beliefs and opinions into account before siding or identifying with a larger outside group.

Pre -orders are available here. You can find it on their Punknews.org Profile

Pulling Punches: 'Lighten Up, Burn it Down'

Today's stream comes from Philadelphia, PA-based Pulling Punches.

On their brand new EP, Lighten Up, Burn it Down, the band embraces melodic hardcore. There are driving riffs that have a tinge of NWOBH. There's a little chugga-chugga-chugga. There are impassioned Ignite-inspired vocals. There's a song called "Selfies at funerals." That's how they do things down in Philly.

You can buy the album here. You can listen to the new EP on their Punknews.org Profile

Gnarwolves: 'Gnarwolves'

Punknews is excited to stream the debut long-player by Brighton-based Gnarwolves.

On the band's self-titled release, the group brings heart-on-the sleeve gang choruses and backs it up with compact, energetic pop-punk. At times the band uses thunderous riffs, at others they use twinkling soundscapes, and sometimes they just talk about boozing it up.

You can find the pre-order here. Meanwhile,you can stream the release on the band's Punknews.org Profile

The Timmys: 'Dude, Girl'

Punknews is pleased to debut the new EP by Springfield, IL-based The Timmys.

The release is called Dude, Girl and it finds the band blasting through four pop-punk stompers. There's a touch of the classic Epifat sound and everything seems to be pretty-happy-go-lucky until the band slips in Manson-ish lines like, "How many homicides will it take to get to you?!" The release is out next week and you'll be able to get it here.

You can find the EP on the band's Punknews.org Profile

Baldy Longhair Records: Selections from 'Two Way Tie for Last'

Baldy Longhair Records and Fleeting Youth Records know how to do a cassette mixtape right. On September 27, which is also Cassette Store Day, the labels are teaming up to release the Two Way Tie for Last mixtape compilation. The release is packed with 38 bands from both labels, runs 97 minutes, has a ton of rare and exclusive music, and a little birdie told us that it will be cheap!

But, you can also check out two cuts from the release right now. We've got one track from Aliment called "Seein' Black," which is a frantic garage rocker. Then, we've got a live rendition of "Vanity Fair" by Crazy and the Brains which completely transforms the punk tune into an ambient soundscape before whipping the throttle to max thrust.

You can find the two new tunes here and see the tracklist below.

Divorce. 'Lifers'

Punknews is pleased to debut the new EP by Pittsburgh, PA-based Divorce. The release is called Lifers and it's right up the alley for you Brand New and Braid fans. The group takes starry post-punk, adds a pinch of emo and rounds the whole thing off with a hint of '90s alt-rock. This is for you contemplative types out there.

The release is out tomorrow on Head2Wall Records and you can find pre-orders here.

Meanwhile, you can check out the new tunes on the band's Punknews.org Profile

Boardroom Heroes: 'New Wage'

Punknews is pleased to debut the new EP by Boardroom Heroes. It's called New Wage and it's out tomorrow on Sinking Ship Records.

The EP finds the band busting through five pop-punk ditties. Melodic choruses drive the procession while the band reflects on the last few moments of one's youth. There are some nice "whoooaas!" as well.

You can order the record here. Meanwhile, you can stream the whole thing below.